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Marriage equality in Maryland by spring?

“'Guardedly optimistic.' That’s how openly gay Maryland State Sen.
Richard Madaleno (D) described his feeling about the posibility the
state legislature will pass a marriage equality bill in its next 90-day
session, which runs from January to mid-April of next year.

"His optimism stems from a number of developments on Election Day
2010, some of which ran absolutely counter to national trends. In the
Maryland Senate, Democrats actually expanded their majority to a 35-12
advantage over Republicans. And some Democrats who lost their seats
did so in primary fights with more progressive challengers, many of
whom vowed to be even stronger champions for marriage equality.

"Madaleno also said a significant expansion in the number of gay and lesbian state legislators,
from four to seven, could have a tremendous effect on fence-sitting
colleagues. 'Just by having out people there to participate in the
conversation fundamentally alters the discussion. The tenor of the
conversation changes. It humanizes it,' Madaleno said.

"The Maryland House of Delegates next year will include five out
lesbians and one openly gay man. Madaleno is still the only out state
senator.

"A Washington Post poll last
May found growing support in the state for legal marriage for same-sex
couples. Among registered voters, 48 percent supported marriage
equality and 43 percent were opposed. Governor Martin O’Malley has pledged to sign a bill if it reaches his desk.

“'In the Senate, I’m confident we are where we have to be to end
debate and pass a bill,' Madaleno said, adding that it was harder to
predict how new Delegates in the House will vote."